Song, 
of  the 


Shore 


by 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


OF  CALIF.  LIBRARY,  LOS  ANGELES 


SONGS  OF  THE 
SOUTH  SHORE 


BY 

MARTHA  PROUTY 


BOSTON 

MARSHALL  JONES  COMPANY 
1922 


COPYRIGHT,     1922 
BY  MARSHALL   JONES   COMPANY 


Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

NATURAL  THINGS 1 

HURT 2 

FELLOWMEN 3 

LITTLE  DANCING  FEET 4 

LILACS 5 

A  CIRCLE  OF  UGLY  RED 6 

SISTER  OF  MINE 7 

PATH  OF  PINES 8 

A  DREAM  THAT  is  SWEET 9 

CALICO  GOWN 10 

THE  FINGER  BOWL 11 

THE  BLUE  JAR 12 

To  A  PEDDLER  OF  VIOLETS 13 

THE  FORFEIT 14 

DEAR  HOUSE 15 

HALF  FORGOTTEN  THINGS 17 

BLOSSOMTIME 18 

A  VAGRANT  PASSING  FAIR 19 

THE  HONEYSUCKLE 21 

SUMMER 22 

GOOD  FOLKS 23 

A  PEARL 24 

STRAIGHT  AWAY 25 

v 


2131923 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

MY  SHIP  is  COMING  IN 26 

THE  FORTUNE  TELLER 28 

THE  BALLET 30 

THE  SOUTH  WIND 31 

SLOW  WORDS 32 

THE  SPARROW 33 

BIRTHDAY 34 

MINE  OWN 35 

A  LASSIE  OH 36 

THE  MISER 37 

"FIVE  WERE  WISE" 39 

A  FRIEND 40 

TINY  TOT 41 

THE  MARKETPLACE 42 

You 43 

INTO  THE  WEST 44 

A  FISHER  SONG     45 

I  WAS  A  CAPTAIN 46 

SIMPLICITY 48 

A  CLOWN 49 

TEARS  ARE  BUT  PETALS 50 

BELOVED  I  HAVE  COME 51 

IF  I  WERE  A  GHOST 52 

ASHES  AGLOW 54 

FAITH 55 

THE  REQUIEM  OF  THE  WINDS 56 

SELFHOOD 57 

EARTH  PLAYS  ITS  PART 58 

vi 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

RHYMING  THE  DAYS 59 

THE  DOWER 60 

LOVE'S  POWER 61 

DAWN 62 

THE  PRINCE  is  SEEKING 65 

CONTINUITY 66 

A  MORSEL 68 

THE  FALLING  OF  THE  RAIN 69 

MAGIC  OF  PAIN 70 

THE  LILY 71 

THE  TEST 72 

THE  MIRACLE 73 

ON  MY  WAY  REJOICING 74 

AN  OLD  ROAD 76 

PURPLE  AND  PINK 77 

THE  OLD  'UN.   .    . 79 

MY  FRIENDS  ARE  MEN 81 

WRECKS 82 

AFRAID 83 

RESS 84 

THE  FLASK 85 

Fizz 87 

DOWN  ALONG  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 88 


vu 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


SONGS  OF  THE 
SOUTH  SHORE 

NATURAL  THINGS 


O 


H,  happy,  dancing,  gold-brown  brook, 
They  ought  to  bind  you  in  a  book, 
They  who  in  search  of  something  new, 
The  lovely  natural  things  eschew; 
You  do  not  seem  a  bit  forlorn, 
While  faring  forth  from  dawn  to  dawn, 
But  just  so  simply,  gladly  gay, 
That  it  must  be  the  natural  way, 
And  that  great  truth  that  you  will  be, 
Some  day  enveloped  in  the  sea, 
Is  just  the  truth,  and  being  so, 
Does  not  disturb  your  even  flow. 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


HURT 


O 


NCE  I  saw  a  lovely  smile 
Start,  then  hesitate  awhile, 
And  a  bruised  thought  crept  apart, 
Sorrowing  in  someone's  heart. 
It  was  such  a  tender  thing, 
To  be  sorrowing. 

Once  I  heard  a  bright  laugh  break 
On  its  fairest  note,  and  take 
Sudden  flight — away — away 
To  the  farthest  haunts  of  day. 
It  was  much  too  sweet  a  thing 
For  lone  wandering. 


[2] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


FELLOWMEN 

HERE  are  so  many  natural  things, 
To  lift  the  heart  on  bluebird's  wings, 
Why  must  those  tired  feet  stumble  so, 
Along  the  way  they  have  to  go? 

'Tis  so  much  easier  for  two 
Fellowmen  to  dare  and  do, 
Ah,  speed  the  day  they'll  understand, 
How  good  it  is  to  lend  a  hand. 


[3] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


LITTLE  DANCING  FEET 

JL  J.ER  pretty  little  dancing  feet 
Set  out  to  meet 

A  comely  youth. 
Dance  on,  oh  slender,  wayward  feet,  dance  on,  oil, 

on. 

When  youth  is  comely,  ah  la  la ! 
The  little  dancing  feet  go  far 
Ere  they  come  home,  to  shelter  sweet,  so  safe  and 

sweet. 

But  comely  youth  is  often  false, 
Tires  of  the  valse. 

His  fancy  caught 
By  newer  charms,  he  goes  away,  quite  like  a  stranger 

goes  away. 

Then  little  dancing  feet  turn  back 
Drag  heavily  along,  alack! 
To  home  and  those,  whose  love  is  balm,  to  salve  the 

hurt. 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


LILACS 

HE  stranger  from  far,  dim  cities, 
When  he  shall  make  the  hill, 
May  stop  where  the  lilacs  blossom, 
And  take  of  their  sweets  at  will ; 
For  the  Gardner  planted  the  lilacs, 
Where  the  humble  home  might  be, 
And  the  hedgerows  grew  and  flourished, 
From  only  a  single  tree ; 
He  knew  that  some  weary  traveller, 
Would  gain  new  strength  to  go  on, 
With  the  fragrant  gift  of  the  lilacs, 
Reaching  from  dawn  to  dawn. 


[5] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  CIRCLE  OF  UGLY  RED 


Wi 


E  all  woke  up  in  the  dark 
That  is  densest  before  the  dawn, 
And  Dad  built  a  roaring  fire, 
And  Ma  put  the  kettle  on, 

And  we  had  a  little  snack,  ere  the  night  should  be 
quite  gone. 


The  moon  showed  a  strange  half  face, 

Circled  with  ugly  red, 

When  Dad  went  off  to  work 

And  we  went  back  to  bed, 

And  we  thanked  the  Lord  for  a  shelter,  safe  and 

snug  and  warm, 
For  Dad,  when  he  saw  that  circle,  had  prophesied 

a  storm. 


[61 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


SISTER  OF  MINE 


M 


,Y  sister  lives  in  the  throbbing  town, 
In  a  palace  of  granite  and  marble, 
And  I  live  down  at  the  edge  of  the  sea, 

In  a  fisher's  cot, 

That  is  just  a  blot, 
Against  the  blur  of  the  lea. 

My  sister  does  not  know  my  name, 
Nor  the  cares  of  my  lowly  station, 
For  I  live  down  at  the  edge  of  the  lea, 

Where  the  sea  gull  whirs, 

And  the  rose-blow  stirs, 
Rose-red  in  the  heart  of  me. 

My  sister  is  not  of  my  kindred, 

Nor  of  my  race  nor  creed, 

And  yet  she  is  sister  of  mine  I  claim, 

If  the  rose-blow  stirs, 

In  that  heart  of  hers, 
And  bursts  into  rose-red  flame. 

[7] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


M 


PATH  OF  PINES 


Y  lady's  like  the  mayflower, 
In  dear  elusiveness, 
I  try  to  catch  her,  but  she  hides, 
In  fine  exclusiveness. 

My  lady  seeks  her  bower, 
In  soft,  shy  blush  confused, 
I  dare  not  seek  an  audience, 
For  fear  I'll  be  refused. 

But  ah,  my  lady's  mood  doth  change, 
And  she  fares  forth  to  meet 
Her  true  love,  down  the  path  of  pines, 
Ah,  how  my  lady's  sweet. 


[8] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  DREAM  THAT  IS  SWEET 
(A  Song) 


T 


HE  breeze  that  steals  up 
From  the  blossom-sweet  South, 
Cannot  find  me  a  flower 
As  sweet  as  your  mouth. 


The  clouds  that  drift  down 
From  the  cold  northern  skies, 
Say  there's  never  a  star 

That's  as  bright  as  your  eyes. 

The  sunbeams  have  played 
In  your  curls  all  day  long, 
And  the  birds  in  the  treetops 
Have  taught  you  their  song. 

Now  twilight  has  found  me 
A  dream  in  the  West, 
A  dream  that  is  sweet 
For  my  baby  at  rest. 

[9] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


CALICO  GOWN 


I 


MADE  a  trip  to  Boston  Town, 
To  buy  some  calico, 
With  which  to  make  a  pretty  gown, 
In  which  to  catch  a  beau. 

They  showed  me  yards  and  yards  of  stuff, 
All  bright  and  gay  and  new, 
It  seemed  they'd  never  cry  enuff, 
Of  rose  and  green  and  blue. 

They  brought  out  quiet,  staple  kinds, 
Plain  stuff,  yet  good  to  wear, 
And  I  was  moved  to  many  minds, 
And  lost  my  senses  fair. 

Oh,  just  to  make  a  sweet  print  gown, 
The  cotton  plants  must  grow, 
And  many  mills  in  teeming  towns, 
Spin  yards  of  calico. 


[10] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  FINGER  BOWL 


T 


HERE  at  the  dinner  on  Beacon  Hill, 
They  ate  and  drank  and  talked  their  fill; 
There  sat  I,  the  stranger  guest, 
Dressed  quite  carefully  in  my  best, 
And  heard  them  settle  beyond  a  doubt, 
The  things  I  had  troubled  my  Maker  about, 
Then  in  a  daze,  through  the  scented  haze, 
I  watched  the  dip,  in  the  finger  bowl 
Of  a  finger-tip. 

After  the  thing  was  over  and  done, 
I  wondered  why  it  was  ever  begun, 
A  wonder  shared  by  such  simple  souls, 
As  scoff  at  the  mission  of  finger  bowls. 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  BLUE  JAR 


M 


ANY  an  hour  and  oft 
When   the  lights   are  low   and   the   notes   fall   soft 
On  the  waiting  air 

And  a  fragrance  rises  from  over  there 
Where  the  roses  are 
In  my  dear  blue  jar 

I  wish  that  the  friend  who  gave  it  to  me 
Might  share  one  hour  of  harmony. 

Beauty  is  mine  to  give 

While  music  and  roses  and  friendship  live 

And  hours  are  mine  to  share 

With  my  friends,  and  rare 

As  fleeting  fragrance  is  this 

Dear  thought  of  hours  we  miss 

Gathered  each  one  as  the  roses  are 

And  put  away  in  my  dear  blue  jar. 


[12] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


TO  A  PEDDLER  OF  VIOLETS 


A 


FLOWER  is  very  lovely, 
If  refuse  heap  beside, 
Or  cherished   in  glass   houses, 
Just  to  deck  a  bride. 

A  flower  is  like  a  promise, 
And  its  fulfilment  too, 
'Tis  perfume,  form  and  coloring, 
Olden  dreams  and  new. 

A  flower  gives  very  freely, 
In  friendly  sojourn  here, 
Ho,  peddler  of  violets, 
Mind  if  I  stand  near! 


[13] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  FORFEIT 


I 


WISH  that  the  ways  of  Charity, 
Knew  never  limit  nor  bound, 
But  did  run  the  gamut  of  wisdom, 
Each  time  the  sun  went  round. 

I  wish  it  would  tend  the  garden, 
In  the  heart  of  every  child, 
And  lend  a  fairer  phrasing, 
To  tongues  that  are  running  wild. 

I  wish  it  would  lay  its  mantle, 
On  weakness,  sin  and  shame, 
And  only  fix  a  forfeit, 
Where  Christ  would  fix  the  blame. 


[14] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


DEAR  HOUSE 

V^/NCE  I  stayed  and  rested  me  for  a  little  while, 
Within  the  walls  of  Dear  House,  and  felt  its  gentle 

guile, 

Steal  away  my  senses,  and  leave  me  in  a  daze, 
So  that  I  looked  dreamily,  through  a  golden  haze. 

Box  trees  ancient  and  wonderfully  gnarled, 

Reared  themselves  in  front  of  it  and  at  the  stranger 

snarled, 

Princess  elms  beside  it,  swayed  and  beckoned  him, 
Who  lured  by  some  loveliness,  dared  its  portals  dim. 

It   was    reared   by   mortal   hands,    according  to    a 

plan, 
But  somewhat  lurked  around  it,  of  danger  to  the 

man, 
Who  swearing  by  the  rule  and  rote,  o'erlooked  the 

subtle  spell, 
That  with  the  shades  of  evening,  across  that  Dear 

House  fell. 

[15] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

Down  the  stairway's  splendor,  through  the  hallway's 

dusk, 

Came  the  sound  of  tripping  feet,  lavender  and  musk, 
Wail  of  flute  and  violin,  tinkling  laughter  too, 
'Till,  half  fearing  such  dear  ghosts,  scarce  a  breath 

I  drew. 

All   around   that  Dear  House,   the    chorus    of   the 

flowers, 

Chants  from  rose  to  violet,  the  hymnal  of  the  hours, 
Weaving  out  of  golden  haze,  charm  for  those  who 

roam, 
Seeking  Dear  House  that  each  heart  somehow  knows 

is  home. 


[16] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


HALF  FORGOTTEN  THINGS 


O, 


'LD  ways  that  wind  through  a  village  street, 
Stopping  awhile,  a  half  forgotten  friend  to  greet, 
Lead  straight  to  the  step  of  a  homely  door, 
Then  linger,  satisfied  to  seek  no  more. 

Old  haunts  that  cry  for  someone  lost, 

Seem  meant,  when  once  the  half  forgotten  trail  is 

crossed, 

To  yield  a  welcome  that  is  sweet  as  Spring, 
And  then  a  peace  beyond  all  measure  bring. 

Old  joys  that  laugh  and  dance  and  woo, 
Though  half  forgotten,  thrill  our  hearts  anew, 
Chide  us,  bless  us,  comfort  us,  then  creep 
Smiling  through  tears,  back  to  the  Past,  to  sleep. 


[17] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


BLOSSOMTIME 

V-/HERRY  blossoms  bud  and  blow, 
Blossoms  born  of  sun  and  snow, 

You  know,  I  know, 
How  soon  the  springtimes  go, 

Heigho,  heigho ! 

Apple  blossoms  pink  and  white, 
Birds'  nest  and  bees'  delight, 

Daylight,  noon  bright, 
Springtimes  rest  awhile  in  flight, 

Sunlight,  then  night. 

Peach  blossoms  petaled  pink, 
Flower  and  fruit  and  fancy  link, 

Bobo-link,   bobo-link, 
Singing  near  the  river's  brink, 

Do  you  ever  stop  and  think? 


[18] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  VAGRANT  PASSING  FAIR 


D 


AY  is  upon  your  threshold, 
There  are  roses  in  her  cheeks, 
And  her  gown  is  gray  brocaded, 
Where  the  sun  gold  tossed  its  streaks. 

Her  hair  is  the  brown  of  seaweeds, 
Her  throat  is  bound  with  pearls, 
And  strings  of  jewels  silver-set, 
She  has  wound  among  her  curls. 

She  waked  and  dressed  her  early, 
While  the  stars  were  in  the  skies, 
And  still  the  tender  dream  of  them, 
Is  lurking  in  her  eyes. 

She's  a  merry,  roving  maiden, 
Blithesome  and  passing  fair, 
The  flitting  shadows  your  fancy  sees, 
Are  cast  by  her  sea-brown  hair. 
[19] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

If  life  is  only  a  fleeting  while, 
And  love  is  often  a  jest, 
And  folly  gambles  with  lingering  lips, 
Night  comes,  and  we  go  to  rest. 

She's  only  a  vagrant  passing  fair, 
And  love  maybe  is  a  jest, 
But  her  throat  is  bare  of  her  milky  pearls, 
When  she  wanders  into  the  west. 


[20] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  HONEYSUCKLE 


D, 


"EAR  vine,  luxuriant  living 
Proof  of  renewal, 
Fair  greenery  multiple  leaved 
All  a-shimmer 
Of  jade  and  slim  silver, 
All  a-quiver 

When  wind  lips  discover 
And  claim  you 
And  murmur  endearments; 
Serene  on  the  surface, 
Yet  tempest  heart  bursting 
In  orange  and  crimson 
Trumpet  shaped  blossoms 
That  trumpet  the  truth. 


[21] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A 


SUMMER 


TRUCE  to  tears,  laugh  and  be  gay, 
The  rose-sprigged  muslin   that  you  wore  in  May, 
Was  thrown  into  the  rag  bag  yesterday 
The  peddler  smiled  who  carried  it  away. 

A  truce  to  sighs,  laugh  and  be  glad, 

Those  days  in  June  when  revelry  went  mad, 

You  danced  night  long  nor  found  the  morrow  sad, 

Because  the  piper  was  a  likely  lad. 

A  truce  to  fears,  laugh  and  forget, 
Through  July  dusks  of  rose  and  violet, 
When  golden  dreams  by  olden  dreams  are  met, 
In  firefly  flash,  there's  nothing  to  regret. 

A  truce  to  time,  laugh  and  live  long, 

The  scent  of  poppies  lulls  at  evensong, 

To  love's  sweet  hush,  and  August  nights  prolong 

Such  dreams  as  to  one  summer's  sun  belong. 


[22] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


GOOD  FOLKS 

E  haven't  any  great  folks  in  our  town, 
Somehow  they  seem  to  shun  its  avenues, 
Elm-shaded  walks,  playground  of  little  ones, 
But  we've  a  few  good  folks  we'd  hate  to  lose. 

We  know  that  we  can  help,  if  we're  not  great, 
That  fame  and  fortune  does  not  measure  us, 
That  somewhere  deep  within  we  cherish  things 
That  happen,  without  making  any  fuss. 

We  know  a  few  who  do  not  seek  for  fame, 
But  keep  right  on  just  doing  what  they  can, 
They  work  and  sing,  and  children  love  them  well, 
And  it  is  good  to  be  that  kind  of  man. 


[23] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  PEARL 


I 


TOOK  a  milky  pearl  without  a  fleck, 
And  gave  it  to  my  love  to  wear, 
She  placed  it  'gainst  her  rosy  neck, 
Since  when  each  seems  more  fair. 


[24] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


STRAIGHT  AWAY 


s> 


ITRAIGHT  away,  straight  away,  now  'tis  edge 

of  the  morning, 

Bright  sunset  is  presaged  quite  oft  by  gray  dawning, 
As  smiles  follow  tears  and  as  sun  follows  rain, — 
Who  earliest  starts  meets  the  turn  in  the  lane. 

Straight   away,  straight  away,  to   the  top   of  the 

morning, 

Fling  greeting  as  bright  in  the  face  of  the  warning, 
As  sunshine  that  opens  the  heart  of  a  rose, — 
Who  happiest  answers  tells  least  that  he  knows. 


[25] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


MY  SHIP  IS  COMING  IN 


I 


COULDN'T  ask  him  not  to  go, 
Because  of  the  look  he  had,  of  seeing  me 
And  yet  not  seeing  me  at  all,  but  something 
Oh  infinitely  finer,  and  so 
Now  I'm  waiting — just  that — as  women  do, 
For  my  ship  to  come  in. 

There  was  a  time  when  that  man  of  mine, 
Walked  close  beside  me  along  the  avenue, 
And  we  watched  motors  and  people  streaming  past, 
And  he'd  pick  out  a  car,  and  ask  me 
How  I  liked  it — because — you  see  we  knew 
Our  ship  was  coming  in. 

We  saw  you,  when  someone  helped  you  out 
Before  that  wonderful  shop,  and  you  selected 
Upholstery  for  your  newest  car,  to  match  your  eyes, 
Your   rings    sparkled   so,    those    salesmen   fluttered 

about 

And  that  man  of  mine — just  smiled — he  knew  I  knew 
Our  ship  was  coming  in. 
[26] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

Just  now  there's  dawn,  noon,  setting  sun, 

Days  meaningful  with  beauty  and  opportunity,  of 

course, 

And  I  must  watch  ebb  tide  sucking  the  seaweed, 
Out  and  under,  out  and  away,  'til  the  day  is  done, 
Another  marked  off — one  more — I'm  marking  time, 
'Til  my  ship  comes  in. 


[27] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  FORTUNE  TELLER 


HER 


somnolent,  sunken  topaz  eyes, 
By  one  indifferent  glance  apprize, 
Your  worth  of  body,  heart  and  mind, 
Likewise  your  standing  with  your  kind. 

She  shrugs  her  shoulders  and  smiles  at  length, 
Matching  her  wit  against  your  strength, 
And  a  light  that  is  part  of  the  puzzle,  breaks 
Her  sombre  gaze  as  she  lays  her  stakes. 

Your  household  goods  and  perhaps  your  land, 
She  sees  them  all  as  you  cross  her  hand, 
With  a  silver  piece,  and  methinks  your  heart 
Is  likewise  bared  by  her  subtle  art. 

From  her  guarded,  graven,  sentient  lips, 
The  prophecy  like  honey  drips, 
Slow  words  and  sweet  as  some  caress 
Forborne,  but  desired  none  the  less. 

[28] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

She  shrugs  her  shoulders  and  smiles  at  length, 
Matching  her  art  against  your  strength, 
And  to  meet  the  glow  in  her  topaz  eyes, 
Has  leaped  a  flame  that  forgives  her  lies. 

Ah  why,  and  why,  did  you  let  her  come 
To  get  your  heart  beneath  her  thumb, 
For  you  may  forbear,  but  desire  no  less, 
From  sentient  lips  one  slow  caress. 


[29] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A 


THE  BALLET 


CLOUD  of  crimson,  a  flash  of  gold, 
A  single  step  in  a  dance  of  old, 
The  viols  wail  as  the  gods  lament, 
But  a  mortal  loves  what  the  gods  have  lent. 

A  violet  scarf  and  a  silver  gleam, 

A  single  step  in  an  olden  dream, 

The  flute  trills  sweet  of  Olympian  days, 

Ere  the  gods'  own  darlings   forsook  their  ways. 

An  amber  ripple,  a  glimpse  of  jade, 
A  single  step  and  the  spell  is  laid, 
Orchestral  rapture  and  motion  meet 
In  a  dance  of  aid  that  is  all  too  fleet. 

A  flood  of  light  and  the  rainbow  fades, 

They  have  fled  afar  to  Olympian  glades, 

A  peal  of  laughter — the  gods  rejoice, 

But  a  mortal  craves  what  the  gods  hold  choice. 


[30] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  SOUTH  WIND 

HIS  stupid  worm  the  world  styles  me, 
Was  once  a  butterfly  or  bee, 
Or  bird,  and  had  a  pair  of  wings, 
Else  tales  are  lies  the  south  wind  brings. 


[31] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A 


SLOW  WORDS 


.S  butterflies  and  birds  a-wing, 
So  light  words  and  fair  words,  unenduring, 
Have  touched  my  days  and  changed  them  not, 
From  idleness  with  errant  fancy  fraught. 

As  garden  bloom  and  breath  of  pine, 

So    slow    words    and    sweet    words,    with    thought 

a-twine, 

Have  come,  and  I'll  suggest  they  stay, 
My  honored  guests,  throughout  this  perfect  day. 


[32] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  SPARROW 


s, 


SOMETHING   stirred   at   my   feet   in   the   dust, 
And  a  dust-gray  thing  that  surely  must 
Have  a  sparrow  been,  with  a  soft  rush  flew, 
Fright-winged  and  fleet-winged  into  the  blue, 
A  soul  akin  to  the  vibrant  things, 
Quickened  from  dull   gray   dust — with   wings. 


[38] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


BIRTHDAY 


s 


URELY  the  day  that  I  was  born, 
Good  fairies  came  this  earth  upon, 
And  one  made  ready  gardens  fair, 
Tulips  and  daffies  planted  there, 
And  sowed  a  lot  of  little  seeds, 
To  blossom  forth  to  meet  my  needs, 
Sweet  of  the  rose  and  hawthorne's  strength, 
And  poppies   for  my  dreams   at  length, 
And  many,  many,  many  more, 
Flowers  have  blossomed  'round  my  door. 

One  fairy  hewed  my   forward  path, 
With  that  strange  power  a  fairy  hath, 
Through  valley's  peaceful,  pleasant  green, 
And  deep  wood  full  of  things  unseen, 
Up,  up  the  hill  whose  lofty  crest, 
Would  seem  at  last  to  end  the  quest, 
And  down  again  and  round  about, 
No  one  could  guess  where  we'd  come  out, 
But  somehow  just  as  twilight  fell, 
We  reached  my  home  and  all  was  well. 

[34] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


MINE  OWN 


w 


E  sit  by  our  fireside, 
Mine  own  love  and  I, 
While  the  rush  of  the  mad  world, 
By  thousands  goes  by. 

And  ah,  we've  not  envy, 
For  station  nor  wealth, 
While  we  have  each  other, 
And  both  have  good  health. 


[35] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  LASSIE  OH 


T 


HERE'S  a  bit  of  a  brogue 
In  the  speech  of  me  mother, 
And  him  with  the  blackthorn 
Is  me  own  sweet  brother. 

'Tis  true  we're  from  Erin, 
And  for  her  'til  death! 
Quit,  Michael,  you  squeeze  so, 
I  can't  get  me  breath. 

There's  a  bit  of  the  brogue, 
On  me  own  tongue,  I'm  sayin% 
To  match  that  boy's  blarney, 
Who  wants  to  go  Mayin'. 


[36] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  MISER 


T 


HE  miser  counts  and  counts  and  counts, 
Yet  takes  no  count  of  time, 
Ten  decades  may  a  century  make, 
Ten  pennies  make  a  dime. 

There's  lavish  gold  on  goldenrod, 
On  leaf  and  mellowed  fruit, 
There's  garnered  gold  on  sunset  clouds, 
He  must  some  day  compute. 

He  counts  with  care  his  yellow  gold, 
The  total  seeming  fair, 
But  in  the  process  he  forgets, 
The  silver  in  his  hair. 

Against  his  store  of  hoarded  gold, 
He  must  some  day  compute, 
Lost  gold  of  autumn's  treasuries, 
Of  leaf  and  luscious  fruit. 
[37] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

For  Nature  counts  and  counts  and  counts, 
Seven  decades  to  each  span, 
And  misers  may  not  buy  for  gold, 
More  than  another  man. 


[88] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


"FIVE  WERE  WISE" 

«-*—A_^-^__^<— **^*+~^—-f4~*4*~****t~\^^ 

IVE  foolish  virgins  forward  fared, 
To  meet  the  bridegroom,  unprepared, 
So  to  those  five  wise  virgins  praise, 
Who  kept  the  sacred  lights  ablaze. 

To  be  a  guide  along  the  way, 
A  radiant  light  twixt  day  and  day, 
Is  all  that  any  man  can  ask, 
Who  gives  his  best  to  daily  task. 

'Tis  well  to  keep  a  thought  in  store, 
To  shed  a  light  around  your  door, 
A  light  that  welcomes,  cheers  and  speeds, 
All  mankind  forward  to  fair  deeds. 


[89] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  FRIEND 

rREATEST  gift  is  this,  a  friend, 
Who  would  rather  give  than  lend; 
Who  to  keep  the  flame  alight, 
Watches  through  the  dreadful  night; 
Shields  with  body,  heart  and  mind, 
Frailer  one  from  things  unkind ; 
Bends  his  own  desires  to  meet, 
That  dear  other's  fancies  fleet; 
Bound  by  neither  plan  nor  pledge, 
Holding  service  privilege. 


[40] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


TINY  TOT 


s 


HE  was  such  a  tiny  tot, 
Older  people  quite  forgot, 
Left  her  all  alone  to  play, 
Sob  awhile,  then  make  her  way 
Back  to  God,  who  watchful  takes 
Home  for  healing,  heart  that  breaks. 


[41] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  MARKETPLACE 

HE  morning  stalls  are  open,  and  the  race 
Is  busy  bartering  in  the  marketplace. 

There  is  such  wealth  of  gold-spin  in  he*  hair, 

Oh,  but  the  creature's  fair! 
Didst  ever  see  such  texture  as  this  skin? 

Here,  let  him  in! 
This  face  is  like  a  flower,  a  jewel,  a  star, 

You're  right  she's  priceless,  ah! 

And  no  man  notices — Faith,  the  matter's  slight,- 
Whether  within  the  Temple  shines  a  light. 


[42] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


YOU 

V  V  HEN  things  that  are  called  Spring,  come 

To  Earth  and  to  you  and  me — 
I  mean  things  like  the  flush  on  the  cheek  of  a  girl, 
And  the  flame  in  the  heart  of  a  man — 
And  the  running  stream  of  that  which  we  call  Life, 

Beats  mile  upon  mile,  redly 
Against  our  pulses  and  across  our  days, 
The  warmth   and   the   colour  of  my  blood  means 
You— 

Or  someone  very  much  like  You. 


[48] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


INTO  THE  WEST 


O 


H  lover,  lover  divine, 
You  rode  into  the  west — 
And  night  came — and  the  rest 
Was  a  dream — and  the  dream  was  mine. 

Oh  lover,  lover  of  mine, 

In  the  west  you  were  lost — 

And  the  trail — and  the  cost 

Was  a  life — and  the  life  was  thine. 


[44] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  FISHER  SONG 

HE  tide  is  on  the  ebb,  on  the  ebb, 
And  o'er  the  waves  the  fisher's  web, 
Sweeps  out  to  catch  the  shining  store, 
That  in  a  fisher's  mystic  lore, 
Spells  Fortune  fair  through  the  livelong  day, 
So  draw  them  in,  pull  away,  pull  away. 

The  net  is  wet  and  the  pull  is  long, 
And  the  fisher  sings  some  sea  dog's  song, 
The  lean  brown  arms  are  straining  hard, 
But  a  fisher  is  always  another's  pard, 
While  they  watch  for  the  silvery,  sodden  prey, 
And  sing  while  they  work,  pull  away,  pull  away. 

The  catch  is  good  and  the  fisher  glad, 
For  the  news  is  good  for  the  wife  and  lad, 
And  home  is  good  when  the  night  doth  fall, 
So  he  sends  o'er  the  waves  a  tender  call, 
As  they  dip  their  oars  in  the  kindly  spray, 
And  again  with  a  will  pull  away,  pull  away. 

[45] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


I  WAS  A  CAPTAIN 


W 


HEN  every  inch  of  this  big  world, 
Was  crowded  full  of  fun, 
And  all  the  days  seemed  bound  to  end, 
When  they  were  half  begun, 
I  was  the  captain  of  a  raft, 
A  nifty,  shifty  pirate  craft, 
And  then  I  ordered  things  the  way, 
I'd  like  to  order  them  today. 

Through  meadow  wilds  and  willow  shade, 
A  lazy,  loafing  brook, 
Adventured  with  us  day  by  day, 
While  cowslips  bent  to  look; 
At  last  the  glint  of  gold  I  spied, 
And  recklessly  my  fortune  tried, 
But  only  found  the  mystery, 
That  every  day  still  beckons  me. 

If  powerful  genii  should  appear, 
And  promise  in  good  faith, 
To  give  me  once  my  heart's  desire, 
[46] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

I  would  not  choose  a  wraith, 

Like  that  which  dwells  in  glint  of  gold, 

But  I  would  be  a  captain  bold, 

And  order  things  to  be  the  same, 

As  when  I  played  that  dear  old  game. 


[47] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


SIMPLICITY 

SIMPLE  thing,  this  world  of  ours, — 
Sweet  blossoms  at  our  birth,  then  funeral  flowers ; 
And  that  this  Garden  differs  some  from  Hell, 
Is  owing  to  the  Spring  that  feeds  the  Well. 


[48] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  CLOWN 

1  J  IFE  came  by  on  a  silver  night, 
Offered  a  banquet  of  rare  delight, 
Fed  me  up,  and  then  let  me  down, 
Left  me  alone,  to  play  the  clown. 


[49] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


T 


TEARS  ARE  BUT  PETALS 
(A  Song) 


HE  dawn  shall  be  fair  when  the  sun  sets  red, 
A  rose  shall  bloom  and  at  night  lie  dead, 
And  lips  shall  be  sweet  though  a  heart  has  bled, 
For  tears  are  but  petals  some  rose  has  shed. 

He  gave  you  a  rose  and  you  smiled,  ah  me, 
But  your  eyes  held  tears  that  he  could  not  see, 
For  lips  that  are  kissed  are  the  sunset's  red, 
And  the  new  dawn  glows  ere  its  light  has  sped. 

The  dawn  shall  be  fair  when  the  sun  sets  red, 
And  lips  shall  be  sweet  though  a  heart  has  bled, 
But  love  'neath  the  roses  must  bury  its  dead, 
For  tears  are  but  petals  some  rose  has  shed. 


[50] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


BELOVED  I  HAVE  COME 

BELOVED,  I  have  come  to  you  here, 
In  the  wayside  house  abiding  a  little, 
I   mingle  wistaria's  purple, 
Mourning  a  trifle, 
With  white  clematis  bridal, 
Hushing  the  choral — 

Beloved,  the  earth  is  so  gracious, 
I  gain  but  a  step,  forgive  if  I  linger, 
I  weave  garlands  of  myrtle, 
Adorning  my  kirtle, 
Lest  when  I  come  I  am  pale, 
Seeming  sorrowful — 

Beloved,  I  shall  go  hence  with  you, 
Whither  you  lead  and  abide  with  you  ever, 
My  bearing  imperial, 
Wearing  the  purple, 
My  secret  heart  humble, 
Gaining  the  temple. 

[51] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


IF  I  WERE  A  GHOST 


I 


'D  wrap  myself  in  robes   of  white,  if  I  were  a 

ghost, 

And  trailing  noiselessly  through  the  gloom, 
I'd  sit  me  down  in  some  well  loved  room, 
And  let  my  fingers  idly  stray, 
Over  the  keys  in  a  melody  gay, 
Then  someone  would  wake  in  the  throbbing  night, 
and  hear  a  ghost. 

I'd  deck  myself  with  lilies  white,  if  I  were  a  ghost, 
And  trailing  idly  the  meadows  through, 
I'd  brighten  my  garlands  with  blossoms  blue, 
Forget-me-nots  are  the  flowers  I'd  wear, 
With  some  sweet  white  lilies  in  my  hair, 
Then  someone  hurrying  through  the  night, 
would  see  a  ghost. 

I'd  always  appear  when  the  heavens  were  bright,  if  I 

were  a  ghost, 

And  trailing  my  garlanded  garments  white, 
I'd  stand  quite  still  in  the  pale  moonlight, 

[52] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

That  all  who  came  should  look  on  me, 
And  wonder  how  I  could  really  be, 
So  fragrant  and  fair,  and  yet  fade  away, 
just  like  a  ghost. 


[53] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


ASHES  AGLOW 

HERE  are  ashes  aglow  on  the  hearth, 
The  hearth  in  the  house  where  all  comers, 
Take  cheer,  and  return  to  the  path, 
But  where  goes  the  glow,  does  it  follow? 

There  are  ashes  dust-dead  in  the  urn, 
The  urn  in  the  house  where  all  comers, 
Find  welcome  and  never  return, 
But  what  of  the  Word,  was  it  hollow? 


[54] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


FAITH 


I 


HAVE  gone  far, 
Gone  far  and  lost  my  way, 

Passed  stumbling  through  the  perils  of  long  nights, 
And  watched  with  eager  eyes  for  each  new  day; 
Forgetful  ever  that  the  darkness  comes 
Again  and  yet  again,  my  feet  have  pressed 
Faster  and  further,  miles  and  miles  along 
Whatever  road  seemed  fair  to  end  my  quest; 
And  always  I  have  found  myself  bereft 
When  day  has  drawn  to  bitter  close  at  last, 
Of  something  fine,  my  faith  in  friends  perhaps, 
Or  dear  belief  in  love,  yet  holding  fast, 
As  Eros  to  his  bow,  to  faith  in  God; 
And  as  the  one  armed  with  the  better  strength, 
Secures  the  fairest  prize  in  life  or  love, 
I  shall  go  on  and  meet  my  own  at  length. 


[55] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  REQUIEM  OF  THE  WINDS 

HE  winds  at  will,  blow  keen  and  shrill, 

Rest,  wounded  heart  of  mine! 
The  plaint  they  make  mayhap  shall  slake, 
Such  pain  as  thine. 

The  winds  aloft  moan  dull  and  soft, 
Rest,  weary  heart,  oh  rest ! 

Their  sobbing  plea  is  made  for  thee, 
Thine  is  their  quest. 

The  winds  now  weep,  both  loud  and  deep, 
Oh  rest,  worn  heart,  rest  here! 

The  tears  they  shed  are  for  the  dead, 
Rest  in  thy  bier. 

The  winds  croon  there,  against  your  hair, 
Sleep,  happy  heart,  sleep  on! 

They  will  caress  and  soothe  and  bless, 
And  wake  you  in  the  morn. 


[56] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


SELFHOOD 


I 


AM  thankful  to  you  for  many  things,  Oh  Lord-1 

God  of  hosts 

Of  material  things  and  invisible  things, 
Gold  marriage  bands  and  gray  smoke  rings, 
Each  is  of  you  as  well  as  the  other, 
As  a  man  may  perhaps  have  a  beast  for  a  brother. 

I  bow  and  abase  myself  at  your  altars,  O  Lord! 

God  of  hosts 

Of  invincible  things  and  perishable  things, 
The  heart  that  thrills  and  the  voice  that  sings, 
Each  has  the  faith  and  can  make  the  plea, 
And  look  for  an  answer — all  but  me. 

I  know  that  you  wrought  me  of  miracles,  O  Lord ! 

God  of  hosts 

Of  adorable  things  and  incredible  things, 
The  lips  that  bless  and  the  lash  that  stings, 
Each  must  look  for  reward  to  Thee, 
But  the  greatest — the  Self — you  gave  to  me. 

[57] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


EARTH  PLAYS  ITS  PART 


M 


.AN  in  the  earth  with  pick  and  shovel  works 

at  pleasure, 
Of  his  brother  man  who  mines  the  earth 

for  golden  treasure, 

And  after  certain  time,  a  measured  space, 
Within  the  earth,  marks  their  last  resting  place. 


[58] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


RHYMING  THE  DAYS 

rhyme  the  days  as  we  paddle  along, 
Setting  each  stroke  of  the  paddle  to  song, 
One  verse  for  me  and  another  for  you, 
No  man  may  paddle  another's  canoe. 

Courses  must  change  with  the  wind  and  the  wave, 
One  song  be  gay  and  the  next  one  be  grave, 
One  day  may  rhyme  with  the  sunshine  and  flowers, 
Next  day  be  set  to  the  rhythm  of  showers. 

One  day  is  dreary  and  windy  and  cold, 
Strokes  must  be  certain   and  songs  must  be  bold, 
Then  we  must  rhyme  all  the  hours  with  win, 
Thus  rounding  out  every  task  we  begin. 

Rhyming  the  days  as  we  paddle  along, 
Setting  each  stroke  of  the  paddle  to  song, 
Speeding  each  hour  with  a  thought  of  its  own, 
We'll  never  guess  where  the  hours  have  flown. 


[59] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  DOWER 

JL-JOVE,  so  'tis  said,  brings  blindness  for  a  dower, 
But  blindness  doth  possess  the  wondrous  power 
Of  quickening  every  sense  to  sight  divine, 
So,  Love,  we  ask  no  greater  dower  than  thine. 


[60] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


LOVE'S  POWER 

HE  sky  glooms  o'er  and  the  cool  rain  falls, 
But  aftertime  the  glad  sun  glows, 
And  out  of  the  depth  of  its  passion  calls 
Forth  to  its  fullest  bloom,  a  rose. 


[61] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


DAWN 

JL  HE  pagan,  Night,  drew  rein  beside  the  couch  of 

Dawn, 

While  that  fair  maid  wrapped  in  her  raiment  sweet, 
Raised  her  round  arms  in  frank,  indifferent  yawn, 
Scorning  the  while  his  burning  gaze  to  meet. 

"What  is  it  that  your  Highness  bids?"  she  asked, 
And  mocked  him  faifly,  for  she  knew  her  power, 
To  tease  him  'til  his  deepest  plots  unmasked, 
Were  hers  to  traffic  'til  the  sunrise  hour. 

"I'd  have  you  leave  the  world  awhile  to  me, 
As  in  good  time  it  must,"  he  frowning  said, 
"Become  my  subject,  earth  and  air  and  sea, 
Leaving  no  place  where  you  may  rest  your  head. 

If  you  will  come  to  me  without  the  use  of  force, 
But  as  a  precious  gift  your  love  I'll  cherish, 
If  you  will  come  to  me  without  the  use  of  force, 
But  by  the  gods,  whoever  else  you  love  shall  perish ! 

[62] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

"Just  now  I  left  a  gang  of  sleepy  tipsters  there," 
Pointing  to  where  the  city  lights  shone  dim, 
"And  in  the  arms  of  one  she  loved,  a  maiden  fair, 
Prayed  that   she  might  live  a  life  of   nights  with 
him, 

"All  those  who  revel  want  the  night  for  that, 
And  those  who  work,  work  best  where  light  is  not; 
Just  now  Man  hobnobs  with  the  owl  and  bat, 
For  all  big  deals  the  candle  light  is  sought." 

"Ah,  so  we  barter  for  the  world?"  she  asked, 
As  though  her  interest  were  but  slight  at  best, 
"  'Tis  such  a  paltry  thing,  must  I  be  tasked, 
And  made  to  argue  while  I  still  would  rest?" 

A  tiny  frown  found  lodgment  on  her  brow, 
That  shone  snow  white  'neath  hair  of  gold, 
And  eyes  to  make  a  monk  forget  his  vow, 
Flashed  her  displeasure  at  his  conduct  bold. 

Gathering  her  garments  close  around  her  form, 
She  slowly  rose  and  searched  the  Heavens  far, 
To  see  if  by  unlucky  chance  a  storm, 
Brewed  in  the  East  her  victory  to  mar. 

[631 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

Then  as  she  swept  the  grasses  round  about, 
Sweet  incense  scattered  through  the  vibrant  air, 
Bright  roseate  signals  swept  away  all  doubt, 
The  world  paid  homage  to  a  Dawn  so  fair. 


[64] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  PRINCE  IS  SEEKING 

HE  young  girl  dreams  apart  today, 
The  prince  is  seeking  everywhere, 
Expectant  that  each  moment  may 
Find  him  beside  her  unaware. 

Her  feet  that  halting  wander  on, 

Through  days  that  like  her  dreams   are  fair, 

Find  only  this  to  ponder  on, 

The  prince  is  seeking  everywhere. 

And  in  her  face  that  fairer  is, 
Than  any  flower,  as  faith  is  fair, 
Dwells  happy  thought  that  rarer  is, 
Than  any  honor  prince  may  wear. 

And  in  her  eyes  the  lurking  gleam 
Of  ardent  promise  kindles  there, 
A  perfect  likeness  of  the  dream 
The  prince  is  seeking  everywhere. 


[65] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


CONTINUITY 

V^ARRYING  our  burdens  to  and  fro 
We  come  and  go,  we  come  and  go, 
When  sunrise  signals  in  the  east, 
We  go  prepare  the  present  feast, 
And  when  its  light  fades  in  the  west, 
We  seek  our  rest,  we  seek  our  rest. 

If  we   but   go   a   given   pace, 
We  then  may  linger  for  a  space, 
And  while  we  linger  we  may  dream 
That  we  are  drifting  down  a  stream, 
Just  drifting,  in  perpetual  rest, 
Straight  to  the  harbor  in  the  west. 

And  be  the  burden  great  or  small, 
Or  high  or  low  the  certain  call, 
Whate'er  the  power  that  takes  us  on, 
We  start  our  journey  with  the  dawn, 
And  when  we  need  an  added  zest, 
We  think  of  rest,  we  think  of  rest. 
[66] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

With  pen   and   prayer   book,   sword    and   hoe, 

We  come  and  go,  we  come  and  go, 

One  man  may  pray,  another  fight, 

Another  of  their   doings  write, 

One  to  the  soil  keeping  close, 

May  find  his  pleasure  in  a  rose. 

Ah  well,  my  friends,  and  well  'tis  well, 
Whate'er  it  was  that  cast  the  spell, 
Should  never,  never  loose  its  hold, 
But  having  made  it,  keep  the  mold, 
And  we  go  journeying  ever  on, 
Certain  that  dawn  will  follow  dawn. 


[67] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


A  MORSEL 

HEN  we  are  told  to  give  the  gamble  up, 
Let's  not  hang  round  where  other  fellows  sup, 
Nor  let  our  shadow  fall  aslant  their  feast, 
Then  we'll  be  great,  although  they  count  us  least. 


[68] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  FALLING  OF  THE  RAIN 

J?  ROM  clouds  that  have  the  greatest  glories  known, 

Of  blue  much  brighter  than  the  violet's  own; 

Of  gold  to  purchase  all  the  monarchs'  -diadems 

And  thrones  and  crowns  and  caskets  full  of  gems ; 

Of  purple  richer  than  their  robes  of  state 

And  plumes  and  trappings  when  they  go  to  mate ; 

Of  gray  that's  soft  as  wing  of  turtle  dove, 

And  crimson  deeper  than  the  lips  we  love ; 

We  have  beheld  the  falling  of  the  rain, 

On  tender  shoots  that  presage  golden  grain, 

Renewing  life  with  waters  dearer  bought 

Than  that  far  fountain  Ponce  de  Leon  sought, 

For  God  has  snatched  the  glory  from  his  sky, 

That  we  may  have  of  bread  our  full  supply. 


[69] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


MAGIC  OF  PAIN 


I 


BELIEVE,  and  I  offer  you  proof, 
Unbeliever,  that  never  so  far  aloof, 
Or  deep  in  dust  are  they, 
Who  bound  by  mortal  clay, 
Loved  the  earth  and  its  fruits, 
Mankind  and  birds  and  brutes, 
That  they  cannot  come  back  again ; 
Learned  in  the  magic  of  pain, 
New-born  in  the  sound  of  wings, 
Or  the  touch  on  a  wind-harp's  strings, 
Taught  by  the  pain  of  death, 
The  magic  of  breath. 


[70] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  LILY 


D 


'OES   within  your  garden  grow, 
One  white  lily  tall  and  fair, 
Bending  in  her  fragile  grace, 
With  a  pride  so  sweetly  rare? 

It  is  whispered  that  she  guards, 
Deep  within  her  chalice  white, 
Secret  of  the  power  that  brings, 
Radiant  morning  after  night. 

Near  a  far-off  hallowed  shrine, 
Grew  a  lily  pale  and  cold, 
And  she  filled  her  incense  cup, 
From  that  miracle  of  old. 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  TEST 

J.  IS  said  of  a  fetter  of  wondrous  strength, 
That  the  weakest  link  in  its  iron  length, 
Will  break  away  though  the  others  hold, 
And  the  same  is  true  when  the  links  are  gold. 

A  fetter  of  iron  or  gold  or  steel, 

Will  break  apart  like  a  silken  reel, 

If  the  thought,  the  desire  and  the  conscious  act, 

The  greatest  strength  of  its  maker  lacked. 

The  man  who  scorns  his  Maker's  thought, 
When  the  world  of  weak  and  strong  was  wrought, 
Nor  does  for  love  all  his  great  strength  can, 
May  lose  the  prize  to  the  weaker  man. 


[72] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  MIRACLE 


H 


OW  small  a  mark  our  feet  make  on  the  earth, 
How  many  in  a  tiny  space  can  crowd, 
And  then,  at  last,  how  small  a  space  we  ask, 
When  tightly  wrapped  within  our  shroud. 

And  yet  man's  aims  are  wide  as  earth  itself, 
His  thoughts  are  glorious,  ample,  free, 
And  take  their  form  in  deeds  unmeasurable, — 
How  can  so  much  within  so  little  be! 


[T3] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


o 


ON  MY  WAY  REJOICING 

N  my  way  rejoicing, 
Perhaps  I'm  going  to  work, 
Perhaps  I'm  going  to  moon  around 
All  day  long  and  shirk. 


On  my  way  rejoicing, 

There's  so  much  to  see, 
There's  so  much  to  make  me  glad, 
Please  don't  hurry  me. 

On  my  way  rejoicing, 

I  can  watch  the  flowers, 
Lift  their  faces  toward  the  sun, 
While  I'm  wasting  hours. 

On  my  way  rejoicing, 

Perhaps  I  sometimes  shirk, 
But  I  have  a  chance  to  see, 

Where  the  sunbeams  lurk. 

[74] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

On  my  way  rejoicing, 

Sun  or  gray  or  showers, 
Perhaps  it  isn't  wasting  time, 
To  imitate  the  flowers. 

On  my  way  rejoicing, 

Face  turned  toward  the  Sun, 
Perhaps  it  won't  much  matter, 
If  I  forget  to  run. 


[75] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


AN  OLD  ROAD 


H 


ITHER  and  yon  it  wanders, 
Through  the  record  of  the  years, 
Crossing  the  blotted  pages 
Of  our  by-gone  hopes  and  fears. 

Grown  o'er  with  tangled  flowers, 
Scented  with  pine  and  rose, 
Friend  of  the  chattering  chipmunk, 
Accomplice  of  blushing  beaux. 

It  narrows  under  the  shade  trees, 
Widens  at  the  spring, 
Where  the  rusty  tin  cup  dangles, 
And  ferns  and  mosses  cling. 

No  matter  how  far  the  journey, 
How  long  or  how  wild  you  roam, 
It  brings  you  at  dusk  contented, 
To  the  wide-swinging  gate  of  home. 


[76] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


PURPLE  AND  PINK 

J.  HE  grapes  are  ripe  in  the  vineyard, 
For  the  rulers  in  love's  domain, 
Pink   and  purple   for  passion, 
Purple  and  pink  for  pain, 
And   the   grapes   are   filled   with  juices, 
For  these  riotous  rulers  twain, 
Wines  for  the  strength  of  passion, 
Wines  for  the  ease  of  pain. 

The  grapes  are  swelled  to  sweetness, 

Where  the  sun  has  followed  the  rain, 

Sweets  for  delighting  passion, 

Sweets  for  deadening  pain, 

And  guests  have  been  asked  to  the  feasting, 

Gifted  with  beauty  and  brain, 

Beauty  to  play  with  passion, 

And  wit  to  cope  with  pain. 

Their  lips  shall  be  red  and  glowing, 
Their  hair  like  the  golden  grain, 
Red  for  quickening  passion, 

[77] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

Gold  for  quieting  pain, 
Their  bodies  shall  be  the  wine  press, 
Caught  and  bound  and  slain, 
Wines  for  the  strength  of  passion, 
Wines  for  the  ease  of  pain. 

The  grapes  hang  high  in  the  vineyard, 

Tempting  the  rulers  twain, 

Pink  and  purple  for  passion, 

Purple  and  pink  for  pain, 

Oh  my  Love,  to  prove  possession, 

'Tis  thus  the  Fates  ordain, 

You  must  feast  with  passion, 

And  I  must  feast  with  pain. 


[78] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  OLD  'UN 


I 


MAINTAIN— 

One  hardly  considers  that  I  can  do  otherwise 

The  traditions  of  courtesy 

Though  many  difficulties  beset  my  way 

As  yesterday  when  a  young  person 

Very  flamboyant  as  to  cheeks 

White-tipped  as  to  nose 

And  flaunting  very,  very  strange  garments 

Stepped  on  the  end  of  my  stick 

Which  I  was  carrying  in  my  right  hand 

And  shifted  thereupon  to  my  left 

The  better  to  avoid  such  occurrence  again 

Then  later  in  the  street  car 

I  gave  my  seat  which  I  had  secured  only  after  a 

tussle 

To  a  cripple  who  sneered  and  kept  his  eyes 
Fixed  criptically  on  my  stick 
And  I  did  not  think  until  afterwards 
That  he  rather  expected  I  should  strike  him 
Though  probably  not  for  his  lack  of  courtesy. 

[79] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

The  creatures — 

Variously  male  and  female,  weak  and  strong 

Beautiful   and  ugly — 

With  whom  one  must  come  in  contact  as  one  gets 

about 
May  have  standards  and  opinions  and  positions  of 

sorts 

But  they  leave  one 
Too  out  of  breath 
To  want  to  pursue  the  matter 
Too  severely  battered  about 
And  shaken. 

In  the  square 

Where  I  take  my  seat  about  mid-forenoon 

Under  the  tree  that  the  birds  favor 

And  not  far  from  the  fountain  where  the  horses 

drink 
I   can  still  imagine  myself  in   contact  with   choice 

spirits 

They  who  established  the  very  traditions 
I  maintain  as  best  I  may 
And  I  rather  like   the  manners   of  the  birds   and 

beasts 
Who  frequent  my  haven. 

[80] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


MY  FRIENDS  ARE  MEN 

JVlY  friends  are  not  the  great  or  noble,  rich  or 

proud, 

I  find  them  rather  in  the  surging  crowd 
Of  workers,  sufferers,  where  the  sinners  meet, 
Who  when  they  see  me  coming,  always  greet 
Me  not  as  alien,  curious,  anxious  to  reform, 
Whose  hearts,  handclasp  and  words  are  warm, 
Who  know  because  they've  felt,  and  knowing  speak, 
Who  ask  not  if  my  blood  is  blue,  what  streak 
May  run  across  it,  whence  or  why  I  came, 
Nor  do  they  mind  if  they  may  never  know  my  name, 
If  but  I  come  among  them  as  a  friend, 
One  of  themselves,  who  if  my  fortunes  mend, 
Will  show  the  way  and  share  the  good  I've  found; 
Not  those  who  by  a  vow,  a  threat,  or  heritage  are 

bound, 

Who  came  as  children,  joined  the  surging  crowd, 
Call  each  other  men,  and  of  just  that  are  proud. 


[81] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


WRECKS 

WRECK  is  a  thing  that  rests  at  the  edge 
Of  the  shimmering  sea  and  the  shifting  sand, 
It  rocked  and  moaned  on  the  cruel  ledge, 
And  went  straight  down  within  sight  of  the  land, 
Save  for  the  worms  that  gnaw  at  its  heart, 
'Tis  all  forlorn,  a  thing  apart, 

There  by  the  ebb  and  flow. 

A  wreck  is  a  thing  that  warns  me  fair, 
Of  the  hell  of  hate  and  the  wrath  of  wrong, 
Oh  the  shimmering  sea  doth  beckon  there, 
And  sweet  is  the  call  in  the  sea-maid's  song, 
Pray  man  with  me,  that  our  fate  may  be, 
Not  as  that — on  your  bended  knee — 
There  by  the  ebb  and  flow. 


[82] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


AFRAID 


I 


'M  afraid — we're  all  so  little, 
Are  we  reckoned  worth  a  tittle, 
Midst  the  world's  immensity? 
Little  home  and  little  mother, 
Little   father,  little  brother, 
Little  friends  and  little  me. 


[83] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


BESS 


I 


LOVE  the  country,  yes 
And  pretty  Bess 

Who  dimples,  yet  says  nothing  you'd  remember 
When  cold  gets  here  and  drear  December. 

It  takes  a  memory  then  to  warm  your  heart 
To  action — that  is  why  we  part 
And  I  clip  off  the  wild  wings 
Nothing  loth,  and  hie  to  other  things. 

A  roving  glance  will  find  you  in  the  crowd, 
You  smile,  because  you'd  swear  she  bowed ; 
Ah  yes,  the  country's  charming,  so  is  Bess, 
I  love  them  both,  and  both  no  less 
Because  I  seek  in  beckoning  city's  ways 
Something  to  crown  the  days. 


[84] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


THE  FLASK 

JL   HIS  is  the  time  when  trees  bear  fruit, 
Let  tripping  tongue  give  place  to  lute, 
When  full  the  board  and  foam  on  mug, 
No  real  good  fellow  may  be  smug, 
Nor  mince  the  tale  one  deil's  bit, 
Best  spill  the  brew  than  drown  in  it. 

This  is  the  time  when  goldenrod, 
Touches  to  flame  the  cumbent  sod, 
No  man  may  hide  behind  a  moat, 
Nor  sell  his  birthright  for  a  groat, 
But  look  alive  and  mind  the  day, 
When  blood  is  red  the  deil's  to  pay. 

A  brew  that's  bottled  up  too  tight, 
Will  burst  its  bounds  some  quiet  night, 
And  all  the  world  shall  quake,  alack! 
But  no  man's  wish  shall  bring  it  back, 
'Tis  well  to  brew  and  bottle  up, 
But  better  still  to  taste  the  cup. 
[85] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

Mark  well  the  worth  of  every  hour, 
Fruit  of  the  tree  and  flame  of  flower, 
Enough's  all  man  i'  faith  may  ask, 
'Tis  well  i'  sooth  to  share  the  flask, 
And  share  your  song  and  share  your  store, 
So  in  good  time  there's  space  for  more. 


[86] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


FIZZ 

Jl    OETS  sing,  chant,  recite, 
Poets  write, 

Using  mechanical  means  to  convey 
Something  they  cannot  stay, 
Something,  that  catching  fire, 
Slithers  along  the  wire. 

What  a  strange  thing  a  poet  is! 
When  the  green  and  gold  stars  and  the  fizz 
Of  his  rocket's  gone, 
The  poet's  forlorn. 


[87] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 


DOWN  ALONG  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

OME  on,  come  on  now  with  me, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
Maybe  you're  afraid  that  you'll 
Never  come  back  any  more, 
That  the  charm  will  catch  and  hold 
If  you  dare  it,  overbold, 
But  just  try  it,  come  on  now, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 

That  great  sea  that  beckons  us, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
At  our  feet  if  we'll  but  halt, 
Will  a  golden  treasure  pour; 
Something  it  was  given  to  keep — 
Maybe  you  don't  know  how  deep 
Are  its  haunted  silences, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 

It  has  heard  the  heart  of  things, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
So  it  laughs  sometimes  and  sings, 
[88] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

Echoing  songs  it's  heard  before, 
So  it  sometimes  moans  and  sobs, 
If  you'll  listen  to  its  throbs, 
You'll  hear  every  heart  that  beats. 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 

Up  those  rocky,  roughened  slopes, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
Birch  and  oak  grow  close  together, 
Fir  and  pine  and  many  more 
Grand  and  sturdy  guardian  trees, 
Hardly  bending  to  the  breeze, 
Even  rout  the  hurricanes, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 

Thus  it  is  perhaps  the  flowers, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
Dare  to  grow  so  lavishly, 
That  the  earth  is  like  a  floor 
Covered  with  a  carpeting 
That  might  serve  for  any  king, 
So  that  we  tread  royally, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 

Sometimes  looking  toward  the  west, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
[89] 


SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH  SHORE 

From  that  long  low  line  of  hills, 
It  must  seem  that  nothing  more 
Nothing  better  could  be  sought, 
Than  the  wonder  that  is  wrought, 
Just  by  setting  sun  and  clouds, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 

Folks   are   after   all  just   folks, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
Plain  and  proud,  they're  after  all 
Human,  and  they  who  foreswore 
Creed  and  greed,  and  settled  here, 
Came  as  brothers,  that's  as  near 
As  we  need  to  come  to  right, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 

Life  is  living  day  by  day, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore, 
Just  as  folks  live  everywhere, 
Never  knew  a  man  who  wore 
Wings  down  here,  or  wanted  to, 
Child  to  man,  that's  how  we  grew, 
So  come  on,  let's  foot  it  now, 
Down  along  the  South  Shore. 


[90] 


SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  UBFWRY  FAC  LITY 


A     000110481     9 


